health – The Orbital

Seasonal Depression: more than ‘down in the dumps’

14Nov

By Beth McCleanNo Comments

Lifestyle, News

Seasonal Depression: more than ‘down in the dumps’

With November drawing to a close, any remnants of warm afternoons or bright mornings have disappeared. December often marks a time of festivities, curling up around fireplaces or sharing blankets with friends. However, it can also become a time when mental health plummets and you feel at your lowest. If your mental health rapidly fluctuates in line with seasons, there could be a medical condition behind it. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as seasonal depression, is a mental health condition that 1 in 15 people may have, according to the NHS. The most common type, “winter depression”, is where people become more affected by symptoms of depression during winter, with symptoms lessening in the warmer months. This is caused by a lack of sunlight, which can lowe...

29Mar

By Michele TheilNo Comments

Features

Student Autism

University as a student with High Functioning Autism (HFA) is daunting at times. Growing up as a kid who went from medical test to medical test during my infant years after diagnosis, and, more recently, being thrust from a special school with 82 pupils to a university of over 9,000 students has been a challenge to deal with. Specifically when you don’t know anyone in your halls, or your classes, for the first few weeks. When going on a night out and there's the rush of people queuing to get through at the gate. You get in and you’re confronted with flashing colours and music that dominates over what your friends are talking about. What are they saying? Who was that person who shouted at you across the SU? Are they angry or happy? Why should you care? All you want to do is get back t...

28Mar

By Rachel HainsNo Comments

Opinion

Let’s Talk: Endometriosis

As anybody who has the joy of experiencing periods each month can tell you, it definitely is not a walk in the park. True, periods are just like people, as varied and as individual as whoever you speak to. One person may not experience such difficulty as another. Still, very few people are aware of the fact that extremely painful periods are not common and can be a sign of something else: Endometriosis. As Endometriosis awareness month begins, it is well worth re-highlighting its severity. Just like sexual health, it is not something we should be embarrassed to talk about. If you are ending up bedridden or sick as a result of periods you deserve to be made aware of the fact you may need medical help and are entitled to receive it from someone who will take you seriously. People. Trust y...

1Feb

By Chloe BuckNo Comments

Lifestyle

Putting your Health First

When the temperature decreases so can the state of your health. When you’re a student you are constantly around other people, making it a lot easier to pick up coughs and colds and other nasty bugs. On a positive note, it is possible to take control of your health and stay one step ahead to remain healthy. Having had an autumn term battling with health issues, here are some heartfelt tips... WATER, WATER & MORE WATER Stay hydrated - your body needs water to flush out toxins and function properly. Be aware of your alcohol, caffeine, sugar and salt intake. WRAP UP WARM Dig out that scarf, hat, mittens, coat and keep warm, especially when you’re at the SU! When you’re inside it’s easy to assume that the weather isn’t as cold as you think and not bother. The body loses most o...

15Dec

By Michele TheilNo Comments

Science & Technology

Why WiFi?

Child Development, a respected journal of Psychology, published a paper in May of this year claiming that WiFi is linked to autism. The paper was written by Cindy Sage and Ernesto Burgio and was published in a section addressing technological risks. UK national media unfortunately picked up the story, with an article in The Daily Express asking the following question: Could wireless technology be causing MAJOR health problems in your children? Obviously, this is a ridiculous notion as there has never been any evidence that found developmental health risks linked to technology in this way. The original review and the subsequent article stated that “wireless mobile phones, laptops and tables could be causing major heath problems in children and contributing to autism and hyperactivi...

6Nov

By Laura StoodleyNo Comments

Lifestyle

Naps: The Natural Pick-Me-Up

I am a huge advocate for naps. Usually, you can find me waking up from my early evening nap and preparing for a night out, or less favourably and more commonly, settling in to grind down on a night full of homework. Lately, I’ve been wondering - are these naps helping me or just helping me procrastinate? Unsurprisingly, napping has a number of benefits including reducing fatigue, increasing alertness, and improving mood. In addition, as bad sleep can increase the amount of stress hormones and negatively affect the immune system, a quick nap can reverse the hormonal impact that comes with a night of bad sleep. Although, napping only benefits you if used properly (think great power, great responsibility). Lucky for you, I’m here to give you a brief guide to how to most effectively nap. ...

2Oct

By Michele TheilNo Comments

Science & Technology

Vaccination Fears Go Viral

People are divided on the role of vaccinations. Most see them as a godsend, the product of the miracles of modern science, and the only way to prevent their children from getting diseases like Diphtheria, Polio, Smallpox, Measles and Whooping Cough. There are, however, a growing faction of people that are against inoculating children with vaccines as they believe that there are doubts over the antigens contained within vaccines and the effects they may have on their children and families. In addition, there are those who are in favour of vaccines but want them to be given in smaller doses over a longer period of time. Vaccination is, simply put, the process of injecting a sample of a weakened or killed virus into a person in order to provoke an immune system response into producing anti...

24Mar

By No Comments

Features

Celebrating medical marvels

Medical documentaries are fascinating, informative and wide-reaching, but often toe a fine line between removing taboos around common conditions and reinforcing them. Programmes like 'Embarrassing Bodies' tread this line very carefully, encouraging public discussion around a wide variety of conditions and the removal of any associated embarrassment. There is no denying that increased awareness is a great thing and can only improve public health in general, but there is a danger of insensitively exhibiting patients to capitalise on natural viewer curiosity and provoke repulsion to keep viewing figures high. Being unwell is a stressful time for anybody and handling medical cases with care and delicacy should always take priority over providing entertainment, even if they waive their righ...

12Apr

By No Comments

Lifestyle

Running out of the junk food rut

“Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t” – Elle Woods, Legally Blonde. Whilst I’m not contemplating shooting anyone anytime soon, not the least my non-existent husband, this Elle Woods life lesson is something which got me thinking a few months ago. Since beginning university life in September, I, like many others, ate too much, drank too much, and did very little else during fresher’s week. However, whilst other people headed to the gym in the second week of term I slowly crept into the habit of comfort eating and snacking, rather than making use of my kitchen (yes, some of us in Wedderburn can cook, and not all of us try to burn it down). Rapidly, without even really realising, I had got myself into the h...

10Apr

By No Comments

Lifestyle

5 ab work outs that avoid the gym

Now we are into Spring, and the new years resolutions we made to go to the gym everyday and eat only organically sourced food are distant memories. So instead of accepting defeat, or worse still making the trek to the gym - here are some of the best ways to get a washboard core, without even leaving your room! By setting aside 10 minutes a day, everyday, you can be sure that your summer body will turn heads: Mountain (Egham Hill) Climbers Start by placing yourself in a plank position, with your hands shoulder width apart and underneath your chest (make sure that your arms are straight too). You should feel like your body is a straight line between your ankles and your shoulders. Then bring your right knee to your chest so that it reaches the left elbow. Repeat this step wi...